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The One Thing Tool

Clarity when you’re overwhelmed, progress when you’re stuck.

Ever feel like everything’s urgent, important, and on fire?


When your to-do list feels more like a guilt-trip than a plan - this tool cuts through the chaos.


Inspired by the principle in The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, this framework helps you zoom in on the single, most impactful thing you can do right now - the one domino that makes everything else easier or irrelevant.


Think of it as your shortcut to clarity. When you’re stuck, scattered, or spinning your wheels, this tool will help you move forward.

When is the best time to use this tool?

▪️ You’re overwhelmed by competing priorities

▪️ You don’t know where to focus your energy

▪️ You want to make meaningful progress (not just tick boxes)

▪️ You feel busy but not productive

How to use:

This tool is built around one powerful question:


“What’s the ONE thing I can do right now such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?”


It sounds simple...but it forces clarity and courage.


Step 1 – Brain dump

List all the things you could be doing right now. Big or small. Urgent or not.


Step 2 – The domino effect

For each task, ask:

• If I only did this one thing today, would it move me forward?

• Would it make other tasks easier, irrelevant, or unnecessary?

• Is it a lead domino that triggers progress?


Circle the one with the biggest ripple effect.


Step 3 – Go all in

Block time. Remove distractions. Focus on that one thing like your progress depends on it - because it probably does.

Pro tips:

▪️ Don’t confuse urgent with important. The “one thing” is usually quiet, not screaming.


▪️ If everything feels equally important, zoom out: What’s the real goal here?


▪️ Your “one thing” might not be work - it might be a walk, a nap, or a real conversation. Honour that.

Why this works

It reduces overwhelm, focuses your energy, and helps you work smarter - not harder. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.

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